The Interpreted Rock

By Stephen C. Schultz I recall a childhood rhyme that went something like this; “…sugar and spice and everything nice…that’s what little girls are made of!” As the father of three daughters and one son, there is no doubt about the truthfulness of that saying. I was in San Diego a couple of weeks ago with my family. We were down at Seaport Village right on the bay having lunch. It was a beautiful day, sun shining, light breeze and we were eating on an outside deck. We were engaged in a conversation about what we wanted to do later that day when I noticed my youngest daughter, a fifth grader, was focused on something else. So, I turned to see what she was gazing at. She was following the movements of a transient man who had walked up onto the deck and was systematically searching the garbage cans for food. He was looking in each receptacle and reaching in to move the contents around. At one can, his hand came out with a partially eaten sandwich of some kind. He reached back...

Guest Blogger Jennifer C. Jones It wasn’t a big deal, really. When the few friends he had rode off on their bikes, Brandon stayed behind. When his younger siblings learned to ride and felt the exhilaration of youthful speed and freedom, Brandon only imagined. No big deal. He didn’t care. He had explosive outbursts of anger about many issues. Why should this be any different? Bright and gifted with an amazing ability to memorize, 13-year-old Brandon struggled with poor physical coordination and social skills – two hallmark characteristics of children with Non-verbal Learning Disorder – or NLD. His outbursts at home were becoming more frequent and more violent. Matt Child , LCSW at Discovery Ranch, says, “Brandon’s parents were wonderfully supportive. They love Brandon dearly.” So much so that they sent him to a wilderness program for help. The rigorous physical work of backpacking, bow and drill fire building, and cordage, did wonders for Brandon’s self-confidence. His parent...

By Stephen C. Schultz There is nothing quite like children to remind us of our mortality. My youngest daughter, nine year old Emma, was mentioning at dinner the other night that she is not only one of the youngest in her class (birthday in July), but she is the one in her class with the oldest parents! This was quickly refuted by my wife stating that “so and so” had older parents! Wow…what a blow to my ego…I am now in second place in the oldest parent’s competition! Does this mean I'm the youngest old looser? Mortality is an interesting thing. We pass through our daily lives moving from one event, task or pursuit to another. Unlike gravity, that literally keeps us grounded, we always seem to be competing against that other universal law called “time”. Take a look at a previous post of mine written about one of my other daughters entitled, “ Lessons from a nine year old ”. I hope you enjoy it!

By Stephen C. Schultz The walls of the gymnasium were lined with teenagers. Led Zeppelin's song, " Stairway to Heaven " was playing on the DJ’s Hi Fi Stereo System with the four foot high speakers sitting at either end of the stage. Star like bursts of colored light spun around the room as if we were inside a kaleidoscope. This was the last dance of the night and the teens were swaying back and forth, arms draped awkwardly around each other’s shoulders. The needle on the stereo briefly made the rhythmic scratchy sound as the music faded. The gym lights began their insect like chirping and humming followed by a dull glow that slowly filled the room. Kids began to search for friends and make plans for later that night. At 15 years old and having just received my learners permit to drive a car, I was more interested in my mother picking me up from the dance so I could drive home. I walked to the parking lot with my friend Bill to wait for my mother. She was coming t...

By Stephen C. Schultz Picture if you will, a gymnasium with humming lights. Cheers after every play. Two girls volley ball games are going on at the same time. There is excitement and emotion in the air, for this is the championship tournament. One team, having lost one game in this double elimination tournament, is fighting its way back through the loser’s bracket. Another team has been undefeated until they played the team fighting back. The winner of this final game is the champion. I sat quietly in the bleachers enjoying the game. My oldest daughter Stephanie was on the team fighting its way back through the loser’s bracket.